⿻ 數位 Plurality - by E Glen Weyl & Audrey Tang (Paperback)

About the Book

In the first secular book endorsed by the Dalai Lama in more than a quarter century, Taiwan's inaugural Minister of Digital Affairs and the world's inaugural non-binary minister shows and tells how technology can empower democracy to flourish

Book Synopsis

Digital technology threatens to tear free and open societies apart through polarization, inequality, and loneliness. But in the decade since the weekslong occupation of their parliament, a diverse island of resilience has shown another way is possible.

Taiwan achieved inclusive, technology-fueled growth, overcame the pandemic without lockdowns and the infodemic without takedowns, entrusted its people to tackle shared challenges like environmental protection while capitalizing on a culture of innovation to "hack the government."

Here, the architects of Taiwan's internationally acclaimed digital democracy share the secret of their success. Plurality (symbolized ⿻) harnesses digital tools not to replace humans or trust, but to channel the potential energy in social diversity that can erupt in conflict instead for progress, growth and beauty. From intimate digitally empowered telepathy to global trade running on social networks rather than money, ⿻ offers tools to radically enrich relationships while leaving no one behind.

⿻ thus promises to transform every sector from healthcare to media, as illustrated by the way it has been written: as a chorus of open, self-governing collaboration of voices from around the globe. Their work in public on this openly available text shows - as well as tells - how everyone from a devout African farmer to a Hollywood celebrity can help build a more dynamic, harmonious and inclusive world.

E. Glen Weyl is Founder of RadicalxChange, Microsoft Research's Plural Technology Collaboratory, & Plurality Institute & co-author of Radical Markets.

Audrey Tang is the inaugural Minister of Digital Affairs in Taiwan & the inaugural ⚧️ minister in the ����.

A global ⿻ community of dozens did a majority of the work to create this first-ever open-source, copyright-free, self-governed book harnessing tools described within. Their images were digitally blended and then tiled to create the above image.

You are invited to join us at https: //www.plurality.net

Review Quotes

In the...boundless expanse of Plurality...(l)et us take positive action to allow the seeds of shared goodness to break...earth & blossom into flowers of empathy, joy & harmony.

-- His Holiness the Dalai Lama XIV of Tibet

A compelling view of a way forward for free & open societies in a technologically-advanced, politically challenging & rapidly evolving 21st century.

-- Vitalik Buterin, Founder of Ethereum

Audrey Tang has shown us how to create a 'digital democracy' that transcends the constraints of ideology - that is the major contribution of this new book.

-- Tsai Ing-wen, President of the ROC (Taiwan)

A portal into a future where technology supports democracy, which we know is possible from Taiwan: a much-needed paradigm change for modern life.

-- Danielle S. Allen, Harvard University Professor & author of Our Declaration

With wit, erudition & optimism...(they) argue that we can harness digital technology to confront authoritarianism...by leaning into...the principles of an open society.

-- Anne Applebaum, author of The Twilight of Democracy & winner of the Pulitzer Prize

Plurality is a truly fascinating...potential global accelerator...of collaboration...that is African in perspective...a must read & a must co-create for African thought leaders...

-- Oby Ezekwesili, Co-Founder of Transparency International and #BringBackOurGirls

(D)iversity & technology have been used as swords...of secularization. Remarkably, in the skilled hands of these authors, they are here reforged into a shield for the faithful.

-- Rev. Johnnie Moore Jr., President of the Congress of Christian Leaders

(A) master class...simultaneously showing & telling us how digital technology can make the world dramatically more cooperative & productive.

-- Michael I. Jordan, inaugural winner of the World Laureates Association Prize